It's just a smoother version of R1100GS. Everything is identical except bores and pistons. The 850 version is almost becoming a cult bike since it's a very rare GS and the engine is somewhat livelier than the robust 1100 - more freely "breathing" revs are paid off with less low grunt and less torque compared to the big brother.
Having the same details I reckon the reliability is on par - the engine is bomb proof (my 1100 is 250 000+km without any touching other than the valve adjustments and I've first hand seen 700 000+km 1100GS with no top end overhaul), you may encounter the usual worn bearings in final drive (mine has been almost a constant 80 - 105 000km per bearing and replacement is around 1 hour work even if done in the bush if you know how to do it - always carry a bearing+seal kit ($70 or so and takes a lot less room and weight than a chain-kit!) on longer travels). For rough-roads 2up full gear the Touratech frame Hard Parts are highly recommended - check it, it's often already installed on many R1100/850GSes.
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